Thanks, Jim:
Q: What are the advantages of using FreeDOS over alternative ways of running DOS applications (e.g., DOSBox)? A: Using DOSBox to run DOS applications in Linux is a great way to run certain DOS applications. But DOSBox is really intended to launch a single DOS program, like a game. The DOS command line is pretty limited in DOSBox. In contrast, FreeDOS provides a full DOS command line.
My Polar Sport Tester PE4000 software just wouldn't work properly under emulation. I couldn't get a USB serial link to go! So I was unable to upload heart rate data to a more modern PC. But I have a working 32 bit PC with a built-in hardware serial port! And that works fine with the Polar DOS software.
Q: Why work on DOS in 2021? A: [I talk about a few things, but mostly about how programming in DOS is not the same as programming on Linux. You can't just "load everything into memory" because you don't have a lot of memory to use, ... and that makes programming more challenging and interesting.]
I thought that I would keep my brain alive!
Q: How big is the FreeDOS community? A: FreeDOS was a very popular project throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, but the community isn’t as big these days. But it’s great that we are still an engaged and active group.
I have especially appreciated detailed help from Europe! [I also mention
the virtual get-togethers.] Q: How does someone get involved in the community? A: I think our community is very welcoming, so anyone is free to join. We communicate via an email list, which you can find on the FreeDOS website. Join the freedos-user email list if you want to talk about FreeDOS or ask for help.
I greatly appreciate this welcoming and helpful character. -- members.iinet.net.au/~kilgallin/ _______________________________________________ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
